CSV to ABA Converter
The fastest way to turn a spreadsheet of payments into a bank-ready ABA file. Drop a CSV, map the columns, fill in your bank details, and download. Free, no signup, files never leave your browser.
Source CSV
How to use
- 1
Drop your CSV
Drag a CSV of payments into the dropzone, or click to browse. Files never leave your browser.
- 2
Map columns
Confirm or remap which columns supply Amount, BSB, Account Name, Account Number, and Description.
- 3
Fill bank details and download
Enter your bank, BSB, account, and file description. Click Generate to download a valid ABA file.
Why use ABA File Converter's CSV to ABA
- Free and unlimited — no signup, no subscription, no per-file fee.
- Runs entirely in your browser; your data never leaves your device.
- Works for every major Australian bank (CBA, Westpac, ANZ, NAB and others).
- Validates every field against the ABA spec and blocks invalid downloads.
- Validates all 147 Australian FI codes and rejects malformed BSBs.
- Handles large payroll files — thousands of rows with no slowdown.
What your CSV needs
Your CSV needs five columns: Amount (dollars, e.g. 1500.00), BSB (format NNN-NNN, e.g. 063-000), Account Name(the payee's name, up to 32 characters), Account Number (up to 9 digits), and Description(the payment reference that appears on the recipient's bank statement, up to 18 characters).
Column order does not matter — the converter detects your headers automatically and lets you correct any mismatches. Do not include currency symbols or commas in the Amount column. Exported directly from Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks, or Reckon? Drop it in — common header names are recognised automatically. For the full field specification see the ABA File Format Specification.
About the ABA file format
The ABA file (sometimes called Direct Entry or Cemtex) is the fixed-width 120-character text format Australian banks accept for batch payments. Every record is exactly 120 characters; a file has one Type 0 descriptive header, one or more Type 1 detail records, and one Type 7 totals record. Read the full ABA file format spec.
Frequently asked questions
What is an ABA file?
An ABA file is the fixed-width 120-character text format Australian banks accept for batch payments. It contains one descriptive header, one detail record per payment, and one totals record.
Which Australian banks does this work with?
The ABA format is standardised, so the same file is accepted by CBA, Westpac, ANZ, NAB, Macquarie, Bendigo, and every other major Australian bank. You pick your bank when filling in the file details so the correct FI code is used.
Do my files get uploaded anywhere?
No. All conversion runs entirely in your browser. Your CSV and the generated ABA file never leave your device.
What should my CSV columns be named?
The converter auto-detects common header names such as Amount, BSB, Account Name, Account Number, Description, Reference, Payee, and Recipient. If a column is not detected automatically, select it manually from the dropdown in the mapping step.
Do I need an APCA number?
Most small businesses do not have an APCA (Australian Payments Clearing Association) number. Leave the field blank — your bank will fill it in or ignore it.
What is a balancing record and do I need one?
A balancing record is an extra debit row that offsets the total credit amount, making the file net to zero. Most banks do not require it. BOQ does. The option is in Advanced Settings in the ABA file details section.
What happens if the bank rejects the ABA file?
Use the ABA File Validator to diagnose the issue. Common causes are an incorrect BSB format, an account name that is too long, or totals that do not reconcile.